Aeroplane.



R. BSNAULT-PELTERIE.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED mums, 1908.

11. 5 1 1 5;?95, Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Fl. 57 6 i 2 .5 20 3 R. ESNAULT- PELTERIE. AEROPLANE.

APPLIGATIOI I FILED JAN. 16, 1908. L 1 1 5X95. Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

R. ESNAULT-PBLTERIE.

AEROPLANB.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 16, 190B.

4 1 3 N m OO IS T NE .E dH 8 m nu -U nu P R. ESNAULT-PELTE'RIE.

Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

m N W WITNESSES R. ESNAULT-PELTERIE.

ABROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.16, 190B.

Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

R. ESNAULT PELTERIE.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 16, 1908. 1,115,795. Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

v 8 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

W/TNESSfS i M E M- @21 I 4 B Affvr/zays, v Q /Ml a! V ma R. ESNAULT-PBLTERIE.

AEROPLANB.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 16, 1908 1,1 15,795. Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

W/T/YL'SSES: v l/VVE/VTOR R. ESNAULT- PELTEEIE.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.16, 1908. 1,1 15,795. Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

8 SHBETS-SHEET 8.

W/T/VE-S'SES: NVVE/VTOR;

Perrmmn, a citizen of, the Republic of and the aft portion of the other, or vice -machine, whereas, when pivotixfig UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

1,115.795. Specification met-mm. Patented Nov. 3,1914.

- Application ma m 10, mos. Serial No. 411,205..

To all whom it may concern? 1 v Be it known that I, Roam ESNAULT- France, residing at Boulognel-sur-Seine, Seine, France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in' Aeroplanes, of which the following is a specification.

The present inventioh has'jor its object a monoplan aeroplane with one or several pairs of wings which may be directed or distorted as desired, and-provided with rudders or with a tail, the combination of such means having the effect of providing for the longitudinal and transverse stability as well as forthe desired direction and asc'en and descent of the machine.

A first embodiment of the invention comprises a single pair of distortable wings and steering rudders for the direction and ascent, the getting out of shape or distorting of the wings resulting in the obtaining of .transverse stability and such distorting being obtained by means of subtended staywires suitably operated for pulling down simultaneously the fore portion of one wing versa. The steering rudder is verticgl' and may be rotated about a vertical an's, while the rudder which steers the aeroplane upward or downward (called for convenience the ascensional rudder) and which is horizontal and is integral with the vertical rudder, may be rotated about a transverse v horizontal axis in such a way as to secure the longitudinal stability of the machine and allow of the ascent and descent to be efi'ected.

A second embodiment of the invention comgrises a pair. of distortable wings arranged in the same manner as in the previously described construction and a single horizontal rudder or tail capa le of ivoting about a Horizontal longitudinal a and also about a'transverse horizontal axis. Thislast rudder or tail has the functions of the vertical and horizontal rudders previously described, and when pivoting about the low gitudinal axis controls the irection of the about the transversehorizontal a1;is,.it e ects the ascentl and descent of the machine or holds it love A third embodiment of the invention comprises two of able, but, oneof such of wings so 1s mountedas to be cc, l: of pivoting about a horizontal longitudinal axis like the tail or rudder of the previously described modlfication, with a view of so steering the machine in either direction.

- All these Various forms of the machine are formed with a fusiform body or girder of triangular or trapezoidal cross-sction inclosed 1n rims made of wood or any other light ,material, whichare used for supporting a covering of cloth or other very light fabric permittingthe slipping of the air molecules toreduce the resistance to the forward motion of the. aeroplane. -The cross-section is tapering toward-the ends of the girder which is terminated with conical or pointed portions.

All thesev machines are provided with a propelling screwdriven b a light ,power engine, such. as an interna combustion engine, and the girder is carried, when running on the ground,--by stems or legs pro- ;Vii(1le(% at their ends with flexibly mounted w ee s. r

The copstruction and special features of the aeroplanes embodying this invention will be more clearly understood by the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in .Which: Figures 1 to 14 inclusive are diagrams for explaining the principles most clearly. The remaining figures are drawings of the actual constructions. Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are respectively a longitudinal elevation, an end view, and a'plan of an aeroplane embodying the invention.= Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively a. perspectiveand an end view of the steering rudders and the ascensional rudders. Fig. 6 is a dia am in pers tive of the means for contro g the -de ormation and inclination of the rudders. Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively a longitudinal e evation and a plan of another style of aeroplane embodying the invention. Fig. 9 is a plan of still another style. 10 is a dia am in perspective 0 the ru der control mechanism. Fig. 11 is a plan of a wing. Fig. 12.is.a cross-section of the same. Figs. 13 and- 14 .are'a cross-section and a lan view of a portion of the same on a linger scale. Fig. 15 is a cross-section on the line YY of Fi 13 and 14. Figs. 16, 17 and 18 are a si e elevation, plan and end view respective] of the rear end of the aeroplane, and ig. 19 is an enlarged end view. of the same.

FigalJE, 3', 7, 8 and 9' are respectively views of the constructions shown diagram-.

- fore and aft ends.

wings extend-laterally. The propeller may be at the rear as in Fig. 1, or at the front as in Fi 7, and the, rudders are preferably place at the rear, both the steering rudders (for horizontal direction) and the ascensional rudders (for vertical angle). The girder is surrounded by rings or other smtable frame-work for supportin the waterproof smooth cloth covering 9 w ich is preferably employed to entirely inclose the girder and toprovide a prow at the forward end and a conical rear end so as to reduce the frictional resistance. The 'covermg 9 is From this girder the indicated merely in dotted lines to avold obscuring the internal construction.

The two win 5 of the aeroplane of Figs. 1,2 and. 3 are rlgidly fixed to the center part of the top of the. girder. These wings are constructed as hereinafter described to permit of their being radially distorted; the cloth which forms the sustaining surface being stretched on a yielding frame. The wings are connected by fore and aft staywires 52 and 53 respectively, extending from near their outer corners, to a small longitudinal bar 54 fixed at the lower end of a rod 55 which is braced atthe bottom by four converging rods 561 The rod 55 isadapted to be oscillated so as to turn the longitudinal. bar 54 to the right or to the left and thus to cause a tension on the front stay-wire 52 of one wing and on the rear stay-wire of the opposite wing simultaneously. Thus the front edge of one wing would be lowered at the same time as the rear edge of the other, which corresponds to a bending of one wing in one direction and the other in the opposite direction.

At 28 is indicated the seat of the pilot and at 20 the engine, both symmetrically located with reference to the center of gravity of the machine (where preferably the tank containing the combustible is located).

' The engine 20 drives, through the horizontal shaft 19 properly supported in the girder, the propelling screw 26 mounted at the rear of the machine, but it will be understood that the position of the pilot and engine could be inverted with reference to the center of gravity, and that the screw could be mounted at the forward end. I

The directing rudder is composed of two vertical-planes 57 attached to the diametral extremitiesof'a ring 58 fixed to an arm 59 the lower end of which is provided with a ball 59' mounted in a socket 59 upon a support, '59", Fig. 19; at the horizontal diametral extremities of the ring 58, are also secured two horizontal planes 60 forming the ascensional rudder. It will be understood that if a pulling or pushing action is exerted on a lateral point of the ring 58, the

latter and also the vertical planes of the directing rudder will turn about a-vertical axis. on the other hand, if the lower extremities of the said ring are pulled or pushed,'the latter, together with the ascensional planes, will be turned about a horizontal axis. Thus the directing rudder 57 can be set to the desired direction and the ascensional rudder 6O inclined as described, or both can be controlled both for the horizontal direction and for the ascent and descent of the machine.

The distorting of the wings and the con- .trol of the inclination of the rudders can be performed in the following manner (Fig. 6) :To a vertical-lever 61 mounted on a ball and socket and located, for example, on the right hand of the pilot, is connected, on the one hand, throu h an arm 62, an angle lever63, a horizontsfbar 64 which is hin ed to the end of a horizontal arm 65 keye at.

61, orward or backward, the rod 66 will be pulled or pushed, and the rotation about an imaginary horizontal axis, that is, the forward or backward inclination ofthe ascensional rudder 60, will be obtained. Furthermore, by moving the said lever 61 in a direction intermediate'the right or left and the front or back, the rod 55 and the rod 66 will be simultaneously affected, that is, the means for controlling the transverse stability and the means for controlling the longitudinal stability will be simultaneously actuated.

, Another lever 68, symmetrically arranged with thelever 61 as regards the pilot seat, is again connected through the rod 69, to a lateral point 7 0 of the ring 58; thus by moving it fore or aft, the rotation about an imagmary vertical axis of the rin 58 and consequently'of the dixecting rud er 57 will be effected.

In the modification according to Figs. 7 and 8, on the front part of the girder is pro-. vided the pairof wings 5 having, when viewed in plan, the form shown in Fig. 8,

and which may be sli htly curved in longi-. tudinal section (paral elto the girder) and have a concave surface. These wings are rigidly fixed on the 'rder in any suitable manner, and provide with warping mechanism as in Fig. 3.

.In front of the wings is locatedthe engine 20 which, through a horizontal longitudinal shaft properly 'mounted, drives propelling screw 26 mounted at the forward :rudde end. In th middle of the girder 1 is the combustible fluid tank 27 so arranged that its center of gravity is on the vertical line of thecenter of gravity of the aeroplane. At the rear is the seat 28 of the pilot whose weiglht approximately balances the weight of t e. engine.

At the rear part of the coverin 9 is the double hinged rudder 71 formed with a-hori- 7 79 which is itself connected to a vertical lever 80, through a longitudinal and horizontal bar 81. On the other hand, the hollow axis-72 of the rudder is secured to a vertical rod 82, connected through a rod 83 hinged to a small vertical arm 84,'to a longitudlnal bar 85 ending inanother lever 86 placed symmetrically with the lever 80 with reference to the pilots seat 28. On the one hand, it will be possible with the-lever 80 which is moved either to the right or to the left, to cause the bar 81 and with it the bar 78 of the axis 74, to 'turn and thus to turn the rudder 71 about the said axis74, and consequently to lower one side and raise the other. Such working has the effect of generating a horizontal power which causes the machine to turn and permits of steering horizontally. This .is the way thev birds and particularly the seagulls use their tails when they desire to turn. On the other hand, by moving the lever 86 forwardor aft the rudder is caused to move'about its axis 72, so as to lower or raise its front part. This is the way by which the longitudinal stability ofthe aeroplane will be controlled and the ascent or descent of the latter will be obtained. Moreover the lever 86 is connected, through a horizontal bar 87,.to an angle lever 88, and a longitudinal bar 89 Y hinged to the said lever, with'an arm 90 is secured to the bar 54.- When moved perpendicular to the rod 55 which, in turn either to the right or to,the left the lever 86 which is-mounted on a ball and socket at wooden webs are replaced b its lower end, will cause the rod 55 and thereby the transverse bar 54 to turn, which will have the efifect of distorting the front pair of wings.

The lever 86 is, furthermore, adapted to simultaneously actuate the rod. 55 and the rod in a manner similar to that describ. d above in relation to the lever 61, Fig. 6.-

The aeroplane illustrated in Figs. 9 and 9 comprises two pairs of wings 5 and 6 mounted on a braced girder inclosed in a suitable covering. This aeroplane is characterized by the fact that the two fore and aft airs of wings are distortable and may be e ected the same as in the previously described constructions, or

in any other sultable way.

The' system of framing for aeroplane wings which will now be described withreference to Figs. 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 answers these two indispensable conditions, viz: the utmost lightness and great rigidity. The beam illustrated in Fi 12 is made of a number of cut-out woo en webs 91 be: tween which are left suitable spaces for passing therethrough the ribs 92; at the parts where the direction changes these double T-shaped metal ieces 3 of steel or luminum, also suitabi y cut out. These various members 91 and 93 are connected together .by two upper and lower flanges 94 and. 95 properly riveted to the metal pieces 93 as ivell as to the w en pieces 91. Where the ribs are passed through are arranged aluminum flanges so as to guide them properly. The end of the girder is also made of a double T-shaped member 96 wery thin of aluminum or very li ht steel, so as to strengthen the end of the 'rder, and a passage is suitably provided or the outermost rib'97. It will thus be noted that a very light and sufiiciently rigid beam will be obtained, thanks to the'metal flanges and to 4 the metal pieces which are located at the point where the curve changes.

What I claim is 1. An aeroplane having a pair of distortable Wings rigidly attached to the body, stays connected to the front and back outer ortions of the wings, a vertical rod carrie by the body of the aeroplane and having its lower end connected to the inner ends of said stays, said rod being rotatable to pull the front stay of one wing simultaneously with the rear stay of the opposite wing, or vice versa, to maintain the transverse stability of the aeroplane.

2. An aeroplane having distortable win for maintaimng transverse stability, a ru der for maintaining longitudinal stability,

a lever controlling said wings and said rudder, a steering rudder, and a separate lever controlling said steering rudder.

3. An aeroplane having a wing including a beam consisting of a number of wooden members, said beam having spaces therethrough, and ribs passing through said spaces and united together by upper and lower flanges extending substantially the length of the beam.

4. An aeroplane having a wing including a beam consisting of a number of wooden members, said beam having spaces therethrough, and ribs passing through said spaces and united together by upper and lower flanges extending substantially the length of the beam, said Wooden members being replaced by metal members at the ing longitudinal stability, and separate means for operating said steering means,

7. In an aeroplane, the combination of means for producing lateral stability, means for producing longitudinal stability, and a .singlevertical lever movable in ever direc- 'tion for operating both said means or producing lateral stability and said means for producing longitudinal stability, said single lever being operable by reflex movements of n the body of an aviator to restore said aeroplane to an even keel when it departs therefrom in either a lateral or longitudinal direction. V

8. In an aeroplane, the combinationof means for producin lateral stability, means for producing longitudinal stability, and a single vertical lever movable'in every direction operating upon both said means for producing lateral stability and said means for 1, producing lon itudinal stability, said lever, upon forwar movement thereof, 0 erating said means for producin longitu inal stability to direct the aerop ane downwardly, said lever, upon rearward movement thereof operatin said means for producing longitudinal sta ility :to elevate the ae'ro-' plane, said lever, upon movement thereof to the right and left, operating said means for producing lateral stability to raise the aeroplane on the left and right respectively.

9. In an aeroplane, the. combination of ,means for producing lateral stability, means for producing longitudinal stability and a single vertical lever for operating both said means for producing-lateral stability and said means for producing longitudinal stability, saidlever being mounted u on an universal joint and being oscill'ata le every direction.

In "witness whereof I have hereunto my hand in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT ES AULT- ELTERIE.

\Vitnesses':

MAR EL ARMENGAUD, Jeune. DEAN M. MASON.

set 

